Getting to the age of 40 is no longer as dreadful as it used to be. In fact, a lot of people look forward to their 40s as they say this is really when life starts. However, getting to 40 comes with some concerns, with one of them being a higher risk for certain health issues. Knowing what to expect is a crucial step in ensuring you remain healthy past 40. Here are four serious health issues where the risk increases past the age of 40.
Stress
It is quite difficult to avoid stress in your 40s. This is because this is the age where most people have the most responsibility. Stress can lead to depression and they both come with some serious health risks of their own. Knowing how to identify the signs of stress and finding a way to reduce it will be very beneficial.
Kidney Stones
There is a common misconception that kidney stones affect men alone. This is not true as a third of all people who develop kidney stones are women. Regardless of gender, kidney stones are very serious and their risk increases once you pass the age of 50. This is often due to dehydration and a change in diet. The reason why they are so serious is that they can do a lot of damage to the urinary system and can require surgery to remove.
Breast Cancer and Other Types of Cancer
Everyone over the age of 40, regardless of their gender and ethnicity, should have breast cancer in the back of their minds. Even though it can affect everyone, breast cancer is of particular concern to women. Although the number of men who develop breast cancer is a lot lower, it should still be a point of concern for them, too.
Besides breast cancer, the risk of certain cancers increases over the age of 40 and this is why a full body MOT is important after this age. A full body MOT helps detect cancer and other health issues early so you can start getting treatment as early as possible. Because they understand why health checks are crucial, Echelon Health has put together a guide on why a full body MOT is important. Echelon Health uses the latest technologies and techniques to detect issues that may be unseen so you can start getting the help and care you need as soon as possible. They provide bespoke health checks and assessments for men, women and corporate clients.
Hypertension
Hypertension is so common in people who are over 40 that it is one of the first checks doctors do when people go in for a health check. Once detected, management becomes crucial, as unchecked and unmanaged high blood pressure can increase the risk of stroke and heart attacks.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes develops in people whose cells are unable to utilise insulin properly. While some factors such as weight gain are within your control, others like genetics are not.
Knowing which health issues affect people in their 40s can help you know what checks to ask for once you visit your healthcare provider. It also allows you to know what symptoms to keep an eye out for once you reach this age.